Free School Meals (without cuts to services)

Tower Hamlets Council finally voted for Mayor Lutfur Rahman’s plan to extend £2.6m Free Meals to schoolchildren up to year 6 – without cuts in other services.

When Tower Hamlets Labour had proposed extending the Mayor’s original free meals programme, Mayor Rahman welcomed the principle but pointed out that they had only funded it for a few months – until after the election.

Labour had paid for it by cutting a programme that would have put over a 100 women into much needed jobs. So the Mayor could not accept their amendment but pledged to bring a fully funded plan to the next Full Council meeting (26 March 2014). Labour rushed out and accused the Mayor of blocking free school meals.

Tonight the Mayor’s proposals to deliver Free School Meals for two years were heard and Tower Hamlets Labour had to support the proposal and eat their own words.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman said:

“I am delighted that we have been able to find the resources to extend the Free School Meals for all pupils in Tower Hamlets Primary Schools. We said it was a good idea, and that we could find the funding for it and we did. It is good for the children of Tower Hamlets and their families.”

Cllr. Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children Services said:

“I supported the Mayor’s original policy on Free School Dinners and I am delighted at the proposal to extend it to all 12,000 primary school children. We have some of the best schools in the world and this will help our schools and our children to keep up this good work.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

For information about this press release contact Numan Hussain, Political Advisor to the Mayor, on 07508 352 023 or email numan.hussain@towerhamlets.gov.uk